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Proposed Burton Tower (1925)
Bentley Historical Library Photo: BL001670
Burton Tower (1938-1948 ca)
Bentley Historical Library Photo: BL004059
Burton Memorial Tower Today
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In 1921, President Burton proposed a campanile that would be
“tall enough to be seen for miles” and would serve as a memorial to 236
University Michigan graduates who died in World War I.[40] Plans for the tower
lingered until Burton’s death in 1925, when the idea was brought up
that the tower could also serve as a memorial to Burton. The
proposal became part of the University of Michigan Club of Ann Arbor’s
Ten-Year Program along with funds raised by graduating classes.[40] Unfortunately, plans
were furthered stalled during the depression until it was revived by Charles
Baird when he donated a carillon of fifty-three bells.[40] Because the university
had insufficient funds to construct such a structure, the University of
Michigan Club of Ann Arbor raised the additional funds necessary to begin
construction.[40]
Burton Tower, designed by Albert Kahn of Detroit, was completed in 1936 at a total cost of
$243,664.61.[40] It is located adjacent
to Hill Auditorium where the proposed School of Music was once planned to be. The tower rises 212 feet with the bells
located on the tenth floor.[40] To allow interior space
for classrooms, the walls are made of reinforced concrete and faced with
limestone instead of thick masonry.[40]
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